The band and color guard went to their first marching competition of the year in Madisonville.

With hard work and dedication, the band made first place in their division and had the highest overall score.

¨ I think the scores our program received for contest one were very good, for this early in the competition season,¨ band director Mr. Wilson said.

The band and color guard practice a total of 8 hours per week since school has started by UIL standards. They have not only practiced the full 8 hours but also had a whole month of day-long rehearsals during the summer.

The marching band prepared for the competition by going to practices every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and performing at football games on Fridays,¨ freshman Emily Holloway said.

Many of the band students were still timid going into their first competition even with long, harsh practices.

¨I don´t think you are ever ready for the first competition of the season,¨ Mr.Wilson said.

Even though practices after school in the sweltering Texas heat are rough, band students continue to improve their skills daily.

¨The band could have used more practice, so could the guard,¨ Emily said.

Through the nerves and jitters, the feeling the group gets while performing is remarkable.

¨Every time I step on the field, I get a rush of adrenaline and excitement,¨ junior Maycie Ruehlen said.